Government Announces €85,000 Animal Welfare Fund to Support NGOs

Mar 29 2025 Share

During a press conference, Minister Anton Refalo and Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said announced the beneficiaries of the Animal Welfare Fund, an €85,000 initiative supporting organisations dedicated to animal welfare.

The fund aims to provide financial assistance for medical expenses, education, research, and rehoming efforts.

A total of 15 NGOs qualified for funding, which covers costs related to medicinal supplies, food, treatment, awareness campaigns, training for rehoming services, and transport expenses for rescued animals.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Anton Refalo, emphasised that animal welfare extends beyond regulations, highlighting the importance of education and collaboration. “With this fund, we are directly supporting organisations that make a significant impact in society and give a voice to animals,” he said.

Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening animal welfare efforts. “Through this scheme, we are providing direct aid for education, medical treatments, and rehoming services to ensure a better future for animals in need,” she stated.

Director for Animal Welfare, Joseph John Vella, explained that each organisation could receive up to €8,000, covering 80% of project costs, to be completed within a year. Only registered NGOs working voluntarily and not for profit were eligible.

Photo Credits : Omar Camilleri

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Marvic Expresses Heartfelt Gratitude To Supporters

Marvic Expresses Heartfelt Gratitude To Supporters
Mar 29 2025 Share

In a post on Marvic’s instagram account, his loved ones shared a heartfelt message from Marvic. He sent a strong message of appreciation to his supporters and thanked everyone for their kindness, admitting that he was “truly moved and in disbelief” by the outpouring of love.

They stated how much it meant to him to feel supported by viewers, even as he made the difficult choice to leave the Big Brother Malta house.


They also shared that the former contestant’s primary focus now is to reconnect with his mother and family, signalling a desire for some much-needed time with loved ones.

They asked for patience and understanding from fans during this personal period and assured that he would be sharing more news directly with his followers in the near future.

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Government Opposes EU Plan to Let Teens Start Driving at 17

Mar 29 2025 Share

Earlier this week, the European Union announced a proposal that would allow 17-year-olds to obtain a driving licence, provided they drive under supervision until turning 18.

The measure is part of a broader revision of the EU Driving Licence Directive, aimed at improving road safety by giving young drivers more supervised experience.

However, Transport Minister Chris Bonett made it clear during a national conference that the Maltese government is firmly against this proposal and will vote against it at EU level.

“We believe this is not the right direction for Malta. We do not support lowering the driving age,” the Minister stated.

The comments came during the same press conference where Minister Bonett unveiled a series of new transport measures to tackle Malta’s ongoing traffic crisis. These included:

A €25,000 grant for drivers who surrender their car and licence for five years

A €6,000 scooter scheme for 17-year-olds who delay getting a car licence

The Scooter Shift Grant, offering €6,000 to adults who switch to two wheels

Motorcycle grants of up to €2,500, with scrappage bonuses

An increase in vintage vehicle classification age from 25 to 30 years

Expansion of carpooling at the University of Malta

Shifting of public services and operations outside of peak hours

Although Malta will vote against the EU’s proposed licence reform, the Minister acknowledged that the measure could still pass with a majority vote from other EU countries. He noted that the government is already exploring ways Malta can opt out or be excluded from implementing the rule if adopted.

It’s worth noting that the proposal is non-binding, and countries can choose not to adopt the change, keeping their own rules — such as Malta’s current minimum driving age of 18.

The revised EU directive also includes:

A two-year probation period for new drivers

Tougher penalties for dangerous driving

A digital driving licence available on smartphones

Lower age limits for truck and bus drivers to address labour shortages

These updates fall under the EU’s wider “Vision Zero” strategy, which aims to eliminate all road deaths by 2050.

Still, Malta’s position is clear: it does not support allowing 17-year-olds behind the wheel, even under supervision.

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The New Victorians Announce Pregnancies At Mużika Mużika

The New Victorians Announce Pregnancies At Mużika Mużika
Mar 29 2025 Share

The New Victorians made a memorable reveal during last night’s Mużika Mużika festival. The sister duo announced they are both expecting again, marking the second time they’ve been pregnant together.

“Not three, but five were on that stage tonight,” they wrote, excited to perform a special arrangement of a Maltese classic alongside Hannah Theuma.

The duo also had fun with the hashtag #oopswediditagain, referencing their similar announcement in January 2023. Yesterday, the sisters were officially the first ever pregnant duo to perform on the Mużika Mużika stage.

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